What is Alcoholics Anonymous?-and- What can Alcoholics Anonymous do for me?

Alcoholics Anonymous (commonly known as "A.A.") is a program that is designed to help and support alcoholics in their struggle to recover from their dependency (addiction) to alcohol.

The program is a simple one and was founded on two very basic principles. First, asking a "power greater than ourselves" (whatever one's conception of a "Higher Power" is) for help in overcoming our alcohol problem. Second, talking with another alcoholic for mutual support and experience in battling our alcoholism.

These two concepts are at the core of A.A. and from which the Twelve Steps were developed by the two founders of A.A., "Bill W. and Dr. Bob."

A Brief Description of A.A.: (adapted from the A.A. Preamble)

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who get together in A.A. meetings to share their personal experience with alcohol, their strength in dealing with their alcohol problem, and their hope for an alcohol free life. A.A. is not associated with any religion, politics, governing body, institution or any other organization and its members have only one primary purpose, "to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety."

The program has no rules, only suggestions for recovery. There are no dues or fees for membership, and there is only one requirement for membership, "a desire to stop drinking."

A.A. is self-supporting through member contributions (strictly voluntary) and is open to men and women alike.
The program itself is based around the "A.A. meeting." The meetings consist of a group of alcoholics who together, through mutual support and friendship, help each other stay away from that first drink "One Day at a Time."

What is A.A.'s "Twelve Step Program?"

The founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" consolidated their philosophy and methods into what are now known as the "Twelve Steps of Recovery."

The Twelve Steps are at the heart of
the A.A. program of personal recovery,
and are used by Twelve Step
Programs around the world.

The Twelve Steps of Recovery amended to show how we (two recovering alcoholics) practice them.

(See the original Twelve Steps text under the tab - How Recovery Works - A.A.'s Twelve Steps or
click here)

1.

We admit we are powerless over alcohol, and our lives are unmanageable.

2.

We accept that our Higher Power can restore us to sanity.

3.

We turn our will and our lives over to our Higher Power.

4.

We take an honest and thorough moral inventory of ourselves.

5.

We admit to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to another person exactly what we did wrong.

6.

We stand ready to have our Higher Power relieve us of these character defects.

7.

We humbly ask our Higher Power to remove our faults.

8.

We make a list of all persons we have harmed and are ready and willing to make amends to them all.

9.

We make direct amends to these people, unless doing so would cause them further hurt or harm.

10.

We continue to analyze our thoughts and behaviors and when we are wrong, we admit it.

11.

We use prayer and meditation to improve our relationship with our Higher Power as we understand Him, praying only to understand His will for us and the strength to carry that out.

12.

With the spirituality we have gained as a result of these steps, we try to carry the message of recovery to alcoholics and to practice these steps in everything we do.

Alcoholics Anonymous and the Twelve Steps have
rarely failed to help an alcoholic achieve sobriety.
By practicing the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous,
you too can stop drinking and Take Your Life Back!

The information at GiftsAnonymous.com is not intended to replace sound medical advice from qualified professionals.
GiftsAnonymous.com strongly urges you to consult with your doctor regarding any medical concerns or questions.